In My View - Suez, the Hidden Truths, by John Hunt

£29.99

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In My View - Suez, the Hidden Truths, by John Hunt

Book published privately by the author, 96 pages. Hardback (N4319R)

This book contains the authors personal recollections as a radar operator serving in the Canal Zone in the early 1950's, and combines his memories and experiences with a mass of information, documents, newspaper articles and photographs relating to events in the Canal Zone between 1951 and 1954

In the early 1950's the British Army were present in the area surrounding the Suze Canal, garrisoned to control and protect the canal, which was a key element in global trade and vital to British national interests. But a nationalistic Egyptian government was making increasing demands on the British to withdraw and hand control of the canal over to them, and in 1951 a campaign was begun to try and force the British out. This campaign, although not overtley operated by the Egyptian government, was sponsored by various agencies within Egypt, and often took the form of violent intimidation and attacks, which the British labelled as 'Terrorism'. By 1954 the British had had enough and agreed to pull out, handing over control of the canal to the Egyptians, who nationalised it.

This book is a collection of reminiscences and documents collected together by a man who served in the canal zone at this time, and who in later years became incensed that the veterans of this campaign were refused a medal to recognise their service. In fact, this campaign was the only one in modern times not to have a campaign medal issued to the troops involved, and John Hunt waged a long and ultimately successful effort to get this changed, and for the Ministry of Defence to finally recognise the veterans by awarding a medal to them. In the 1990's a 'Canal Zone ' clasp was finally awarded to the General Service Medal.

The condition of the book is generally very good. The cover boards are clean and bright, the spine is intact, and all pages are clean, intact, unblemished and tightly bound.